Question: Do you have any recommendations or comparisons when it is appropriate to use Link and when it is appropriate to use Hinge?
Answer: Both links and hinges can be used to model localized nonlinear behavior. You could use link or hinge based on your specific modeling goals. Below is a summary of the main advantages for each element:
Hinge:
- Suitable for Pushover analysis - you can graphically display state of the hinge for each pushover increment.
- You can either enter the hinge properties (such as moment curvature curve) yourself or have the program calculate the hinge properties based on the member cross-section using on FEMA or Caltrans guidelines.
- Multiple hinges can be define along the length of the element to simulate progression of yielding along the member.
- Only selected hysteretic models are available for single degree of freedom hinges as of SAP2000 V14.1.0.
- Hinges can drop load, but the curve describing link behavior should be monotonically increasing.
Link:
- Can be used to model Hysteretic behavior and energy dissipation in Time history analysis using multiple hysteresis models. Some hysteretic properties (such as Wen plasticity or hysteretic isolator) are only available for links.
- Unlike for hinges, single link enables to specify hysteretic characteristics for multiple degrees of freedom.
- Link is a standalone element, which can be created independent of any frame elements in the model.
- Several types of links properties (to model the behavior of steel, concrete, and several types of bearings) are available in the program.